Panlilio reports for duty as CDM to Paris 2024

AL PANLILIO reported for duty as chef de mission to the Paris 2024 Olympics, a task not in any way simple as the country still savors the success of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz who won the country’s first gold medal on sports’ biggest stage in Tokyo July last year.

Panlilio brings his brilliant acumen from the corporate world to the global sports platform and with both the Paris 2024 and the Fiba World Cup in 2023 has his schedule stacked.

But he’s confidence stays at high level.

“It’s an honor and a privilege [to be appointed as Olympic CDM] especially after the great showing in the Tokyo Olympics,” said Panlilio, Smart and PLDT Chief Executive Officer and President.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino appointed Panlilio as CDM to Paris as early as after the Tokyo Olympics where the country also clinched two silver medals—carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio—and one bronze—eumir Felix Marcial—all in boxing.

“Thank you for the trust and confidence of President Bambol [Tolentino],” Panlilio said.

Lying on Panlilio’s lap is the country’s principal hosting of the Fiba World Cup, basketball’s biggest tournament where the globe’s best 32 nations are vying.

Japan and Indonesia are cohosting the group stage and the Philippines the knockout stages and the finals.

The FIBA World Cup 2023 is set August 25 to September 10 while the Paris Olympics are from July 26 to August 11 in 2024.

Panlilio reported as CDM to Paris to the POC General Assembly last Wednesday and briefed the body on a March 12 key date for the start of the official collection of national Olympic committee (NOC) accommodation requirements on the Accommodation Management System.

He also announced the International Olympic Committee’s inclusion of four new sports—breaking (breakdancing), sports climbing, skateboarding and surfing—and also gave a detail on the opening ceremony which the French are hosting on the Seine River with the athletes riding on boats for a six-kilometer parade of nations—a first of its kind in the Olympics which traditionally opens in national stadiums.

Paris Games will host 32 sports with 44 disciplines, Panlilio said.

Panlilio’s deputies has yet to be announced.